Darren Bent, the £24m signing from Sunderland, will have proved his worth immediately if he succeeds for Aston Villa in this game. Manchester City have lost only two of their 11 away matches in the Premier League, with Roberto Mancini's side conceding only nine goals – fewer than any other side – on those travels. The hosts would be under stress in any case. They have not won at home in the League since 11 December and are a place above the relegation zone purely because they have scored more goals than Wigan. Kevin McCarra